[Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients (revised version 2019)]. / Vereinbarung zur Organisation der Schmerztherapie chirurgischer Patienten des Berufsverbandes Deutscher Anästhesisten und des Berufsverbandes der Deutschen Chirurgen (Neufassung 2019).

The treatment of any causal, procedure-specific and/or concomitant acute pain is an essential quality feature in any surgical subspecialty. An interdisciplinary and interprofessional pain therapy aims for an immediate improvement of the patients' quality of life, a reduction of the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality in the medium term, prevention of any pain chronification in the long run as well as a reduction of hospitalization and sick leave. The "Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy" exists since 1992. In view of the continuously developing scientific evidence, updated guideline recommendations and interprofessionally designed treatment pathways, these agreements have been adapted to the current requirements and structural conditions of the German healthcare system. Thus, both aforementioned professional associations promote an up to date version of an "Agreement for the Organization of Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients", a precise recommendation and a manual for the acting partners in order to realize the abovementioned goals.

[Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients (revised version 2019)]. / Vereinbarung zur Organisation der Schmerztherapie chirurgischer Patienten des Berufsverbandes Deutscher Anästhesisten und des Berufsverbandes der Deutschen Chirurgen (Neufassung 2019).

The treatment of any causal, procedure-specific and/or concomitant acute pain is an essential quality feature in any surgical subspecialty. An interdisciplinary and interprofessional pain therapy aims for an immediate improvement of the patients' quality of life, a reduction of the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality in the medium term, prevention of any pain chronification in the long run as well as a reduction of hospitalization and sick leave. The "Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy" exists since 1992. In view of the continuously developing scientific evidence, updated guideline recommendations and interprofessionally designed treatment pathways, these agreements have been adapted to the current requirements and structural conditions of the German healthcare system. Thus, both aforementioned professional associations promote an up to date version of an "Agreement for the Organization of Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients", a precise recommendation and a manual for the acting partners in order to realize the abovementioned goals.

[Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients (revised version 2019)]. / Vereinbarung zur Organisation der Schmerztherapie chirurgischer Patienten des Berufsverbandes Deutscher Anästhesisten und des Berufsverbandes der Deutschen Chirurgen (Neufassung 2019).

The treatment of any causal, procedure-specific and/or concomitant acute pain is an essential quality feature in any surgical subspecialty. An interdisciplinary and interprofessional pain therapy aims for an immediate improvement of the patients' quality of life, a reduction of the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality in the medium term, prevention of any pain chronification in the long run as well as a reduction of hospitalization and sick leave. The "Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy" exists since 1992. In view of the continuously developing scientific evidence, updated guideline recommendations and interprofessionally designed treatment pathways, these agreements have been adapted to the current requirements and structural conditions of the German healthcare system. Thus, both aforementioned professional associations promote an up to date version of an "Agreement for the Organization of Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients", a precise recommendation and a manual for the acting partners in order to realize the abovementioned goals.

[Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients (revised version 2019)]. / Vereinbarung zur Organisation der Schmerztherapie chirurgischer Patienten des Berufsverbandes Deutscher Anästhesisten und des Berufsverbandes der Deutschen Chirurgen (Neufassung 2019).

The treatment of any causal, procedure-specific and/or concomitant acute pain is an essential quality feature in any surgical subspecialty. An interdisciplinary and interprofessional pain therapy aims for an immediate improvement of the patients' quality of life, a reduction of the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality in the medium term, prevention of any pain chronification in the long run as well as a reduction of hospitalization and sick leave. The "Agreement of the Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists and the Professional Association of German Surgeons for the Organization of Postoperative Pain Therapy" exists since 1992. In view of the continuously developing scientific evidence, updated guideline recommendations and interprofessionally designed treatment pathways, these agreements have been adapted to the current requirements and structural conditions of the German healthcare system. Thus, both aforementioned professional associations promote an up to date version of an "Agreement for the Organization of Pain Therapy for Surgical Patients", a precise recommendation and a manual for the acting partners in order to realize the abovementioned goals.

[Pain assessment of severely injured patients 2 years after trauma]. / Bestandsaufnahme der Schmerzsituation von Schwerstverletzten zwei Jahre nach Trauma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Trauma patients often suffer from persisting pain even years after injury, and data on long-term pain management is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of persisting pain and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) among trauma victims 2 years after injury. Furthermore, the frequency of pain specialist consultation and the quality of outpatient pain management, including phamacological management, was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed prospectively collected data on severely injured adult patients treated between 2008-2011 at the Cologne Merheim Medical Center (CMMC)/Germany.  Data included the 'Polytrauma Outcome Profile' and a standardized questionnaire on outpatient pain management. Exclusion criteria were death, inability to answer the questionnaire due to cognitive disabilities and lack of language knowledge. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 207/391 (53 %) data sets were available for analysis, presenting a typical trauma collective with injury severity of ISS 19, predominantly male and a mean age of 44 years. 2 years after trauma 59 % still reported that they suffered from severe persisting pain; 53 % of these patients were under pharmacological pain medication. Only 1/5 of the patients with severe persisting pain was treated by a pain specialist. Successful treatment options do exist; improvement of treatment is required.

[Transfer managment of postoperative acute pain therapy to outpatient aftercare]. / Das Überleitungsmanagement der postoperativen Akutschmerztherapie in die ambulante Weiterbehandlung.

The significance of postoperative pain management for patients in the hospital is well known and has been a focus of research for several years. The ambulatory care after hospital discharge, however, is not well investigated. A prospective observational study was therefore conducted to study the transfer management from in-hospital patients to ambulatory care. A patient questionnaire was developed and patients were asked to fill it out at different time points after the operation: during the time in the hospital, then at 2 weeks and 6 months after hospital discharge. In addition, the responsible family doctor was approached and interviewed. The main focus of the questionnaire was the measurement of post-surgical pain (numeric rating scale NRS), patient satisfaction (Cologne patient questionnaire), and quality of life (SF 12). Of a total of 128 patients 72.9% described moderate to severe pain after the orthopaedic operations in the hospital. 90.8% of the patients had pain directly after discharge from the hospital; in 67.4% of the cases pain was ≥3 and in 23.4% of the cases pain was ≥6. Six months after discharge pain was significant in 29.4% of the patients, 60.8% of the patients were satisfied with the transfer to the home setting. 16% were not satisfied at all and 23.2% were neutral. Important factors for dissatisfaction with the transfer management were, according to stepwise logistic regeression analysis, sex (female patients), young age, a poor bodily constitution at the hospital and thereafter, and the pain management in the hospital and after discharge. The study shows the significance of the acute pain therapy not only during the hospital stay but also after discharge. There are very few data on pain therapy after discharge from the hospital. Based on the significance of the chronification of acute pain it is of the utmost importance to close this gap.

[Surgical patients with chronic pain or chronic postsurgical pain: a prospective analysis of psychological and social factors]. / Chirurgische Patienten mit chronischem Schmerz oder chronisch-postoperativem Schmerz : Eine prospektive Analyse psychologischer und sozialer Faktoren.

INTRODUCTION: The interference of biological, social, and psychological factors of the patient, collectively known as the biopsychosocial perspective, plays an important role in the chronification of postsurgical pain. The aim of this pilot study was to detect whether patients suffering from chronic pain without a relationship to a recent operation (CP) differ from chronic pain patients whose pain exists since a recent operation and is related with it (CPSP) in these factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A step-by-step analysis of patients with chronic pain was conducted via a questionnaire of 36 questions in which mental state, pain, fear, and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Deutsche Version (HADS-D), Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire (CPGQ, von Korff), SF-12, McGill Pain Questionnaire (sensoric/affective)] were surveyed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Fisher's exact test for counts, U test for continuous variables; group comparisons with: χ(2) test; p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: On average 29 months postoperatively (24-35 ± 3.5 months), 113 chronic pain patients were analyzed. A group comparison between the CPSP group (n = 73 with chronic postsurgical pain) and the group CP (n = 29 with chronic pain) was conducted. Both groups showed highly significant reductions of SF-12 data compared to a German normal collective (p < 0.001), but normal results regarding depression in the HADS-D and a moderately limiting, highly pain-related limitation in the CPGQ (von Korff III). No differences in the sensoric and affective parameters of the McGill Pain Questionnaire were found. Compared with the CPSP group, the CP group demonstrated higher pain intensities (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Regarding these results critically, there were no group differences concerning psychological and social patient factors in chronic pain patients with or without postsurgical pain.

[Pain therapy options in trauma and emergency surgery]. / Schmerztherapeutische Möglichkeiten in der Unfallchirurgie.

Sufficient acute pain therapy has been scientifically proven to be one of the therapeutic pillars for rapid patient convalescence, a low rate of pain chronification, and a high grade of patient satisfaction. This includes not only systemic pharmacological pain therapy, but also nonpharmaceutical measures, e.g., physical, psychological, locoregional, and adequate patient information. This requires a specific infrastructure, exact clinical control mechanisms, and fundamental knowledge about pain avoidance. The surgeon can responsibly contribute to this. The goal of the following article is to demonstrate and deepen this knowledge and to describe the newest scientific developments.

[Quality management in acute pain therapy: results from a survey of certified hospitals]. / Qualitätsmanagement in der Akutschmerztherapie : Ergebnisse einer Befragung TÜV-zertifizierter Kliniken.

AIM: Systems for and methods of quality management are increasingly being implemented in public health services. The aim of our study was to analyze the current state of the integrated quality management concept "quality management acute pain therapy" of the TÜV Rheinland® (TÜV) after a 5-year project period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: General characteristics of the participating hospitals, number of departments certified by the TÜV and implementation of structures and processes according to the TÜV guidelines were evaluated by a mail questionnaire. Furthermore, positive and negative aspects concerning the effects of certification were evaluated by the hospitals' representatives of certification. RESULTS: A total of 36 questionnaires were returned. Since 2006 the number of certified hospitals (2011: n = 48) and surgical departments (2011: n = 202) has increased continuously. The number of certified medical departments is low (2011: n = 39); however, in the last 3 years, it has increased by about 200-300% annually. Standard operative procedures for pain therapy and measurement of pain intensity at regular intervals were implemented in all certified clinics (100%). Although 41% take part in the benchmarking project QUIPS (Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Therapy), 24% do not systematically check the quality of the outcome of pain management. Acceptance of the new pain therapy concepts among nursing staff was rated positively (ratio positive:negative 16:1); however, acceptance among physicians was rated negatively (1:15). CONCLUSION: Certification by the TÜV leads to sustainable implementation of quality management principles. Future efforts should focus on better integration of physicians in acute pain therapy and the development of an integrated tool to measure patients' outcome.

Development of a risk index for the prediction of chronic post-surgical pain.

The incidence of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) after various common operations is 10% to 50%. Identification of patients at risk of developing chronic pain, and the management and prevention of CPSP remains inadequate. The aim of this study was to develop an easily applicable risk index for the detection of high-risk patients that takes into account the multifactorial aetiology of CPSP. A comprehensive item pool was derived from a systematic literature search. Items that turned out significant in bivariate analyses were then analysed multivariately, using logistic regression analyses. The items that yielded significant predictors in the multivariate analyses were compiled into an index. The cut-off score for a high risk of developing CPSP with an optimal trade-off between sensitivity and specificity was identified. The data of 150 patients who underwent different types of surgery were included in the analyses. Six months after surgery, 43.3% of the patients reported CPSP. Five predictors multivariately contributed to the prediction of CPSP: capacity overload, preoperative pain in the operating field, other chronic preoperative pain, post-surgical acute pain and co-morbid stress symptoms. These results suggest that several easily assessable preoperative and perioperative patient characteristics can predict a patient's risk of developing CPSP. The risk index may help caregivers to tailor individual pain management and to assist high-risk patients with pain coping.

Evidence-based management of postoperative pain in adults undergoing open inguinal hernia surgery.

BACKGROUND: Open inguinal hernia repair is associated with moderate postoperative pain, but optimal analgesia remains controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available literature on the management of pain after open hernia surgery. METHODS: Randomized studies, in English, published between January 1966 and March 2009, assessing analgesic and anaesthetic interventions in adult open hernia surgery, and reporting pain scores, were retrieved from the Embase and MEDLINE databases. In addition to published evidence, clinical practice was taken into account to ensure that the recommendations had clinical validity. RESULTS: Of the 334 randomized studies identified, 79 were included. Quantitative analysis suggested that regional anaesthesia was superior to general anaesthesia for reducing postoperative pain. Spinal anaesthesia was associated with a higher incidence of urinary retention and increased time to home-readiness compared with regional anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Field block with, or without wound infiltration, either as a sole anaesthetic/analgesic technique or as an adjunct to general anaesthesia, is recommended to reduce postoperative pain. Continuous local anaesthetic infusion of a surgical wound provides a longer duration of analgesia. Conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclo-oxygenase 2-selective inhibitors in combination with paracetamol, administered in time to provide sufficient analgesia in the early recovery phase, are optimal. In addition, weak opioids are recommended for moderate pain, and strong opioids for severe pain, on request.

[Analgesia in shoulder, elbow and hand surgery]. / Schmerztherapie in der Schulter-, Ellenbogen- und Handchirurgie.

Surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and hand can cause considerable pain. According to data from randomized controlled trials, local or regional anesthesia is recommended for analgesia during and after surgery of the upper extremity. This treatment can be supplemented with potent opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a multimodal analgesia approach. According to a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials, an interscalene block is recommended for analgesia during and after surgery of the shoulder. For the elbow joint, a peripheral block is also recommended to allow for effective analgesia and physiotherapy postoperatively. In addition, cooling and physiotherapeutic techniques are beneficial in postoperative management.

[Pain therapy for the lower extremities]. / Schmerztherapie an den unteren Extremitäten.

Pain therapy after surgical procedures of the lower extremity is an important goal, whereas insufficient analgesia leads to an essential reduction of the patient's mobility and convalescence. If possible, regional anaesthetic and intrathecal procedures for pre-, intra- and postoperative analgesia should be used. Systemic analgesics should not be used preoperatively, whereas non-opioids and opioids are recommended postoperatively. Surgical options that adequately reduce pain are intra-articular injection of local anaesthetics alone or in combination with opioids and cooling and physiotherapeutic treatment regimens after joint procedures. There is no scientific rationale as an argument for inserting drains. The surgical approach depends more on the individual patient's anatomical characteristics. Whereas the regional analgesic regimen is more effective than systemic therapy, sufficient tools for pain reduction during surgical procedures of the lower extremity are at the orthopaedic surgeon's disposal, too.

A procedure-specific systematic review and consensus recommendations for postoperative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty.

The PROSPECT Working Group, a collaboration of anaesthetists and surgeons, conducts systematic reviews of postoperative pain management for different surgical procedures (http://www.postoppain.org). Evidence-based consensus recommendations for the effective management of postoperative pain are then developed from these systematic reviews, incorporating clinical practice observations, and transferable evidence from other relevant procedures. We present the results of a systematic review of pain and other outcomes following analgesic, anaesthetic and surgical interventions for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The evidence from this review supports the use of general anaesthesia combined with a femoral nerve block for surgery and postoperative analgesia, or alternatively spinal anaesthesia with local anaesthetic plus spinal morphine. The primary technique, together with cooling and compression techniques, should be supplemented with paracetamol and conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or COX-2-selective inhibitors, plus intravenous strong opioids (high-intensity pain) or weak opioids (moderate- to low-intensity pain).

Red-blood-cell to plasma ratios transfused during massive transfusion are associated with mortality in severe multiple injury: a retrospective analysis from the Trauma Registry of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: To test whether an acute transfusion practice of packed red blood cells (pRBC) : fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) 1 : 1 would be associated with reduced mortality in acute bleeding multiply injury. METHODS: Retrospective analysis using the TR-DGU database (Trauma Registry of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie 2002-2006) on primary admissions with substantial injury (Injury Severity Score > 16) and massive transfusion (> 10 pRBCs). Seven hundred thirteen patients were divided into three groups according to the pRBC : FFP ratio transfused, that is, (i) pRBC : FFP > 1.1; (ii) pRBC : FFP 0.9-1.1 (1 : 1); and (iii) pRBC : FFP < 0.9, and mortality rates were compared. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-seven (69.7%) of patients were male, the mean age was 40.1 (+/- 18.3) years. Injury characteristics and pathophysiological state upon emergency room arrival were comparable between groups. Out of 713, 484 patients had undergone massive transfusion with pRBC : FFP > 1.1, 114 with pRBC : FFP 0.9-1.1 (1 : 1), and 115 with pRBC : FFP < 0.9 ratios. Acute mortality (< 6 h) rates for pRBC : FFP > 1.1, pRBC : FFP 0.9-1.1 (1 : 1), and pRBC : FFP < 0.9 ratios were 24.6, 9.6 and 3.5% (P < 0.0001), 24-h mortality rates were 32.6, 16.7 and 11.3% (P < 0.0001), and 30-day mortality rates were 45.5, 35.1 and 24.3% (P < 0.001). The frequency for septic complications and organ failure was higher in the pRBC : FFP 0.9-1.1 (1 : 1) group, ventilator days and length of stays for intensive care unit and overall in-hospital were highest in the pRBC : FFP < 0.9 ratio group (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: An association between pRBC : FFP transfusion ratios and mortality to favour early aggressive FFP administration was observed. Further investigation is necessary prior to recommending routine 1 : 1 or more aggressive FFP use in exsanguinating patients.

[Are computer assisted total knee replacements more accurately placed? A meta-analysis of comparative studies]. / Sind navigierte Knieendoprothesen tatsächlich präziser implantiert? Eine Metaanalyse vergleichender Studien.

Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has become established in many hospitals throughout the world, especially in the form of computer navigation for total knee replacement (TKR). Analysis of the studies available revealed 18 comparative studies examining the precision of implantation of knee endoprostheses following CAS and after implantation by the conventional technique. In a meta-analysis of 13 studies in which the same safe zone of +/-3 from neutral alignment was defined for the leg axis, a total of 1,784 TKR were performed. In the group of patients in whom the conventional technique was used, 75.6% (654/865) of TKR were implanted within the safe zone. In the CAS group 93.9% (863/919) of the prostheses were implanted within the safe zone (p<0.0001). The differences between the groups were statistically significant in 11 of the 13 studies, and the difference between groups for the entire patient population is highly significant. Only limited clinical results were ascertained in these comparative studies; there were no great differences between the treatment groups in clinical course.

[Postoperative pain relief is an important factor for the patients' selection of a clinic. Results of an anonymous survey]. / Die Qualität der postoperativen Schmerztherapie beeinflusst die Krankenhauswahl. Ergebnisse einer anonymen Patientenumfrage.

AIM: The aim of the survey was to elucidate the significance of postoperative pain therapy for the patient and its influence on the choice of hospital. METHODS: This prospective, anonymous survey of consecutive patients in a general surgical clinic was performed by an independent study nurse. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were included; 90% of the surgical patients considered "good pain therapy" as a highly important factor, and three of four patients would admit themselves more likely to a clinic well known for "good pain therapy." If the patients could choose their hospital, factors such as "medical care by the physicians" are most important (rank 1; rank 1 most important, rank 10 most unimportant) followed by quality of "nursing care" (mean rank 2.6) and "good pain therapy" (mean rank 3.6). Older patients (> or = 60 years) preferred a hospital with known "good pain therapy" more often for surgical therapy than younger patients (< 60 years). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that postoperative pain relief is an important factor for the patients' selection of a clinic and is influenced by an age of > or = 60 years.

A procedure-specific systematic review and consensus recommendations for analgesia after total hip replacement.

Total hip replacement is a major surgical procedure usually associated with significant pain in the early postoperative period. Several anaesthetic and analgesic techniques are in common clinical use for this procedure but, to date, clinical studies of pain after total hip replacement have not been systematically assessed. Using the Cochrane protocol, we have conducted a systematic review of analgesic, anaesthetic and surgical interventions affecting postoperative pain after total hip replacement. In addition to the review, transferable evidence from other relevant procedures and clinical practice observations collated by the Delphi method were used to develop evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of postoperative pain. For primary total hip replacement, PROSPECT recommends either general anaesthesia combined with a peripheral nerve block that is continued after surgery or an intrathecal (spinal) injection of local anaesthetic and opioid. The primary analgesic technique should be combined with a step-down approach using paracetamol plus conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, with strong or weak opioids as required.

A procedure-specific systematic review and consensus recommendations for postoperative analgesia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has advantages over the open procedure for postoperative pain. However, a systematic review of postoperative pain management in this procedure has not been conducted. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration. Randomized studies examining the effect of medical or surgical interventions on linear pain scores in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Recommendations for patient care were derived from review of these data, evidence from other relevant procedures, and clinical practice observations collated by the Delphi method among the authors. RESULTS: Sixty-nine randomized trials were included and 77 reports were excluded. Recommendations are provided for preoperative analgesia, anesthetic and operative techniques, and intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: A step-up approach to the management of postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended. This approach has been designed to provide adequate analgesia while minimizing exposure to adverse events.

The Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (eosinophilic granuloma) of the cervical spine: a rare diagnosis of cervical pain.

We present the case of a 44-year-old man who complained of cervical pain. He was treated with physiotherapy and analgetics. Because of persistent pain, computed tomography (CT) scan and MRI were performed. They revealed an osteolytic destruction of the fourth cervical vertebra. The patient was treated surgically for removal of the tumor and stabilization of his cervical spine. Histology of the osteolytic material led to the diagnosis of an eosinophilic granuloma of the cervical spine. This case report describes the incidence, clinical significance, background and therapy of an eosinophilic granuloma of the spine.